Zach Ertz: 5 Things You Need to Know About the Stanford TE

Zach Ertz is a tight end out of Stanford and a unanimous All-American with first-team honors from the American Football Coaches Association, Associated Press, Sporting News and Walter Camp Football Foundation.

According to Mike Mayock of NFL Network, Ertz is the second-rated tight end in the 2013 NFL draft, only behind Tyler Eifert of Notre Dame. While Eifert is expected to be a first-round pick, Ertz is still considered to be either a late first- or early second-round selection.

Eifert ran a better 40-yard dash at the combine, but Ertz was better in the bench press, with 24 reps.

Ertz has the prototypical size that teams in the NFL desire from their tight ends.

Background

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Name: Zach Adam Ertz

Birthday: November 10, 1990

Hometown: Alamo, California

High School: ﻿﻿Monte Vista High School

Major: Management Science and Engineering

Year: Senior

Ertz was a three-year varsity letter winner at Monte Vista High school. He also lettered in basketball. In his senior year, Ertz caught 56 passes for 756 yards and 14 touchdowns. Ertz was also named first team all-state selection by Scout.com.

Ertz was also named the 2008 Cal-Hi Sports North Coast Section Scholar Athlete of the Year.

Ertz's coach in high school was former Santa Clara University quarterback Craig Bergman.

Statistics

Ertz increased his production at tight end each year he played at Stanford, especially his senior year, where he became an All-Pac 12 selection and an All-American.

Ertz led all FBS tight ends in receiving yardage (898) in 2012.

In 2012, Ertz averaged over 13 yards per catch. In the Rose Bowl versus Wisconsin, Ertz caught three passes for 61 yards, as the Cardinal beat the Badgers 20-14. That was Stanford's first Rose Bowl win since 1972.

Ertz was one of three finalists for John Mackey Award for the most outstanding tight end in FBS college football.

Observations

Ertz was part of a crowded TE depth chart over his first few seasons at Stanford, but emerged as the team's No. 1 offensive weapon in 2012 and led the nation in receiving yards by a TE. He has developed as a blocker and is usually sure-handed, but still needs to improve his consistency in both areas. While he's No. 2 in the TE rankings for most, it wouldn't be surprising if some teams grade him higher than Notre Dame's Tyler Eifert as he is a better TE prospect than Fleener a year ago - projecting as a top-40 prospect, Ertz has a good chance to be the first TE in Stanford history to be drafted in the first round.

Compares To: Jason Witten, TE, Dallas Cowboys - Like Witten, Ertz is a strong, tough receiver who isn't an elite athlete but gets the job done, finding ways to get open and create separation. Neither will impress with a 40-yard dash, but show good route quickness and aggressive hands.

If Ertz is able to become a Jason Witten-like tight end, he is going to make a team very, very happy. The Stanford star's potential is through the roof and we should see him make an immediate impact no matter which team he plays for.